Welcome to
The Very Best of the Best!
This new annual competition seeks to highlight the absolute
Best of the Best....of the
Best of the Best. Each year every entry into the BOTB will be judged
and evaluated, to see which FPSCreator Developer has what it takes to be
#1 in all the land!
In order for an entry to be valid for consideration in the
VBOTB (yes, a shiny new acronym); it has to be approved and entered into the BOTB archives for that specific year.
On
November 25th, of each calendar year, entries will no longer be permitted (for that year's consideration). At that point, judging will commence (and will end on the
25th of December). In the past; it has been one person (KeithC), who has judged which entry will be given the opportunity to join the BOTB...however, that will not be the case with the VBOTB. Though the 2010 Competition will still be judged by KeithC (as it is set to close soon); there is an additional criteria that will have an influence on the outcome:
Community Vote
The judging will take place in the following manner:
The
Community (Popular) Vote will be accomplished via a Poll (the same that TGC has used recently). After the cutoff date for accepted entries (
November 25th); a poll will be generated with all the BOTB entries for that year. The percentage that each entry receives, will turn into a point value (ie., 45% = 45 points). Those points will then be added to the final Judge’s points assigned to the specified entry, for a total point value. The entry with the highest point value, wins. It’s that simple. The results of the poll will be published after the winner is declared.
The
Judge’s Criteria Sheet will include multiple categories (which will each have a maximum point value assigned) of factors that will be judged. Scroll down to see the categories and their assigned point-values. A similar sheet will be posted in the thread containing the “Popular Vote” Poll; to be used as a “guide” for the community to go by when making their decision.
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Judge's Criteria Sheet
- Originality [40 pts]: Does your concept reflect every other FPSCreator level out there, or have you created a unique concept, design or flow? This is a "point-heavy" category.
- Frame Rate [10 pts]: Does your game/demo lag? Though there are known issues with FPSCreator's frame-rate, there have been numerous ways to overcome it.
- Level Design [20 pts]: Does your level have a good flow? Is it linear; allowing the player to progress without getting stuck or frustrated (insane jumps to reach near-impossible areas, needed for game completion, etc.)? Does the design make sense (have you mixed different styles of media and segments, that don't really mix well together)?
- Lighting [30 pts]: Are your lights placed in a sensible manner (if there's a light, there should be a physical source)? Have you used lighting to set the mood/atmosphere? Are there any "light leaks" (in segment seams, etc.)? If you use colored lighting, does it serve a purpose; or does it just make the environment "noisy" (use of colored lighting should be kept to a minimum)? Are your light sources properly "lit up" (any lamps, wall lights, etc; should be lit properly. Placement of lights around a light entity will give this effect...or the use of a "Mod")? Lighting makes or breaks a good design; as such, this category has a "high point" potential.
- Entity Placement [20 pts]: Do you have entities scattered about an area for no reason? Do the entities make sense, when compared to the environment and theme of the level? A barrel doesn't really have a place in a bathroom, does it? Would you find a working (and lit) vending machine in dirty back alley? Does that pile of rubble have an origin (is there a broken wall next to it)?
- Custom Media [30 pts]: This covers anything that doesn't ship with FPSCreator. Whether you buy it from the store, or make it yourself. Not everyone can create their own media, but for those who go the extra mile (or for those who buy/download it)...it should be rewarded. Any media presented in your game/demo MUST either be made by you, or purchased/downloaded legally. Failure to do so will forfeit both your entry into the VBOTB, as well as your current BOTB status.
- Sound Effects and Music [20/30 pts]: Sound effects play an integral role in any game. Placed at key moments in gameplay, they can really add to the depth of the gaming experience. The same can be said for in-game music. Custom Sound FX and Music will be considered for an additional 10 points (for a total of 30 possible).
- Custom HUD [10 pts]: A custom HUD can also add to the overall feel of the game/demo. HUD size and placement are factors here (a super detailed HUD does the player no good, if they can't see half the level). Using the native FPSCreator HUD (or no HUD at all) will not get you any points from this category.
- Custom Menu [30 pts]: The menu should reflect the look and feel of the game/demo. This includes before and after game-play. Having save/load options will also be considered for points. Using non-custom menus will not get you any points from this category.
- Custom Load Screens [10 pts]: While players are waiting for the level(s) to load; why not take the opportunity to show off some artwork, or level screenshots? You could also use the opportunity to show some dialogue or "clues". As with the other categories; using non-custom load screens will get you no additional points.
- Overall "Fun-Factor" [20 pts]: Admittedly, this is a bit of a "grey area"; but the judge's will be using their own preferences when they decide if your game/demo is genuinely "fun" to play.
TOTAL POINT POTENTIAL = 250 points
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PRIZES
The Game Creators has graciously donated the following to the Winner of the VBOTB: 2010:
- A $250 TGC Voucher
- 4,000 Store Points
In addition; the Winner will be featured in the TGC
January Newsletter, and get a
unique VBOTB Badge (shown in the banner above) that will replace their current BOTB Badge (supplied by
BiggAdd).
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Entries for the 2010 VBOTB
Deprivation: Direct Action -
Wolf
Alpha Project -
Lewis
Virus 2: The Breakout -
[/i]
Euthanasia - [i]Wolf
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WINNER: The Very Best of the Best 2010!
Alpha Project - Lewis
-Keith
